Medical Politics

Health Politics. Politics affects health, hospital management, physicians and patients in a big way. Dr. David Samadi will explore major national and global health political issues and debates affecting the patient outcome. Learn what you need to know and get Dr. Samadi's take.

HEALTH POLITICS

Every day, 40 people die in the U.S. as a result of prescription drug overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Media outlets, schools, and the medical community are starting to get the word out – to the degree that more and more people are shying away from opioids completely.

Heroin use has been increasing at an alarming rate. The number of people who have died as a result of heroin use has nearly quadrupled in the last decade. What is the reason for the significant increase in heroin deaths? Firstly, the drug is getting cheaper. Secondly, more and more people are becoming addicted to prescription painkillers after having surgery or simply taking them for recreational use. Many people often end up using heroin once their doctor will no longer provide them with a prescription.